Assistive technology

Assistive technology is defined as “any piece of equipment or product system whether acquired comerciall off the shelf, modified, or customised that is used to increase or improve functinal capabilities of individuals with disabilities” (Cook & Hussey, 2000)

During the assisstive technology tutorial the piece of adaptive equipment I chose to play with was a wobble switch.  A wobble switch come in different sizes, long and short, can be attached to a small base that can be sat on a table or wheelchair tray, or with a bracket that can be attached to the edge of a table or wheelchair. Used with people who don't have controlled movements, they just need to hit it once and what it is attached to will start and hit it again and the item will stop. It means you don't have to hold the switch down to make something go and because it is long you don't have to hit in the same exact place every time. A wobble switch can vary in cost between $100 and $400 depending on size and what it can be attached to. The wobble switch I played with was a child's switch, as it had a bright and colourful 'wobble' ball on the top of the switch.

A wobble switch increases functional capacity by allowing the people who wouldn't normally be able to participate in an activity due to uncontrolled movements, not being able to hold onto an object, or turn or press a switch, to be able to participate. By using the wobble switch I was able to realise the benefits of the switch. The cord was long which meant I didn't have to reach far for it, it was coloured brightly which would make it easier to see for people with visual deficits and was light which meant not a lot of strength was required to turn the switch on. All in all it was a very valuable piece of technology.